Although you may be unaware of the fact, the blog which you are reading at this moment is inter-connected with social networking websites across the Internet.  It is part of a Preservation Ohio web presence that exists in several different places at one time, with information going back and forth in an attempt to build and inform the preservation community in Ohio.

Three such locations are positioned to take advantage of the phenomenon of “social networking,” defined by MediaShift as websites that “…help people connect with others who share their interests, build online profiles and share media such as photos, music and videos.”  In a non-profit preservation context, they build community by allowing individuals with similar opportunities and challenges to share ideas and enthusiasm.

The Preservation Ohio MySpace site, which can be accessed here, currently has some 156 members, and was the first large-scale statewide preservation social networking site in the country.  On any given day hundreds of visitors access this site, where the latest stories on the MyHometownOhio blog are presented, as well as other timely information.  As the average age of MySpace members is substantially younger than the norm, this allows us to reach a new preservation generation.

Facebook is the current social network of choice for many, and Preservation Ohio has a well-established page there.  We are one of approximately 12 statewide preservation organizations on Facebook, which allows for the sharing of information and media between friends, groups and organizations.  Not all aspects of this site are accessible without first being a member of Facebook.

Twitter is a “micro-blogging” service that almost has to be experienced to be understood.  Preservation Ohio has just joined in the fun, the second statewide to do so (after Preservation North Carolina).  Our site there will be inter-connected with others; in this way, stories posted on MyHometownOhio and other Preservation Ohio sites can reach media sources around the state in a new and effective way.

Together, these sites have helped increase Preservation Ohio’s web traffic by some 500% during 2008, as well as dramatically improve our search engine optimization.  Watch for two new innovative sites to join this number in the coming year.